What will mortgage professionals gain from this year's annual gathering?
In less than two weeks, mortgage professionals from across the country will descend on Toronto for the National Mortgage Conference, hosted by Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC). Some people may be on the fence, wondering it’s worth the trek—or the time away from business to attend.
The answer depends on whether they just want to close loans day in and day out or whether they want to have a true understanding of the industry and where they fit into it.
Frances Hinojosa, managing partner and mortgage broker at Tribe Financial Group, recommends that any new broker or any broker who wants to take their business to the next level should attend the conference. Networking with other mortgage professionals has always been a big part of MPC’s event, but Hinojosa said that networking with industry partners is just as important. These conversations give mortgage professionals the knowledge necessary to elevate their business to the next level.
“It just reenergizes you and gets you thinking about your business plan going into the new year,” Hinojosa said. “As mortgage brokers, we get so caught up on every day in the business of the business, and we don’t take the time to actually stop and reflect and say, ‘Where can I do better? Where can I get more?’ And that’s what the conference does; it gives you those little ideas when you sit there and actually pay attention.”
Michelle Campbell loves to network, and thinks that it increases collaboration and pushes everyone on her team forward.
“I love getting new ideas that can help me be more productive and exposure to different points of view,” she said.
Networking has always been a part of the national conference but Campbell, who is the principal mortgage broker at Mortgage District, has noticed that the conference has increased its educational offerings over the years in order for mortage professionals to learn and better grow their businesses. Where the conference used to feature the same market updates and sessions year after year, it’s much more dynamic, relevant, and growth-oriented than it used to be.
“I really am always interested in new people coming in and how they see this industry evolving, so for me, I’m educating myself on many different levels,” said Robert Boyd, principal broker at The Mortgage Centre – Durhammortgage.com and former MPC board member.
Hinojosa added that the lineup of speakers is meant to help attendees reflect on the past year as well as see new trends coming down the road. It’s difficult for originators to see the big picture when they’re in the weeds day in and day out; the conference allows mortgage professionals to connect, discuss larger trends and see where they fall into those trends.
Campbell has been a member of MPC for many years and has also seen the advocacy arm of the organization in action.
“I love that I have a voice to advocate for our industry . . . and by being a member I can be active in lobbying or at least be kept up to date on what’s being done on our behalf,” Campbell said. “I’m just so proud of the leadership we have right now.”
More than 90% of the agents at Tribe Group attend the conference each year.
“They find the value in learning,” Hinojosa said. “They know that they’re going to go there and get one golden nugget that is well worth the return on their investment for the cost of the conference.”
Boyd got involved with MPC because at the time, he felt that the mortgage industry was fragmented and really needed a singular national voice. It’s gone a long way to unify mortgage professionals, foster stronger government relations and capture the bigger picture.
“I really think it looks promising for those people in the industry that are really open and accepting to change. And as long as people are open to that idea of change and the morph with the industry, I think we should do really well as a channel,” Boyd said.
The National Conferences takes place in Toronto on November 17-18.
